Man's Best Friend – A Flash Fiction Fantasy

“You finally have a chance to talk to me, in a way that I can understand you, and you are only asking for three things?”
“I am dog, we are simple creatures, what do you really expect me to ask you about, the meaning of life itself? Or for the reason you insist on watching these god-awful reruns of the 70’s show?”

Ben shook his head.

“Very funny Hector. And I really do like that show.”
“Well, I really like bacon. Real bacon, not that fake stuff you sometimes get, trust me, it is nothing like bacon at all. That box thing lies to you humans all of the time.”
“I am aware of that. The lies, I mean”.
“Then why are you watching it?”
“I am not justifying my television habits to you. You have questionable habits too. I caught you eating out of the cat litter box, for crying out loud”.
The retriever lowered his eyes the floor.
“Only once. I wanted to know more about that furry thing you brought home.”
“By eating his shit?”
“Then give me some real bacon to eat. There is my alternative.”
Ben chuckled.
“Okay, deal. A back-scratcher?”
“Yes, for you to scratch me with, my back, I mean. Isn’t that what they are for? Or is that another human thing, where it has a name, but it means something else?”
“No, it’s to scratch backs, I will get you one. But that third one, come on, how am I supposed to arrange that?”
“A play date with that Doberman Pinscher next door? Easy. You are attracted to her owner. That way we both get what we want!”
“Hector, seriously!”
“I am looking out for you here, man.”

Ben shook his head, then grinned as he thought about the brown eyed, pretty young woman, who had moved next door just two weeks earlier. Her sweet smile, had made his heart jump, the first time he saw her enter their building, her puppy by her side.
“Yeah, you are looking out for me.”
“Man’s best friend, you know. Just doing my job.”